Creation of a permanent system for the collection and processing of human urine to transform it into natural fertilizers for agriculture

Sustainable agriculture ; Water and sanitation ; Circular Economy

Edited on 15/04/2026

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Project proposal by

  • Institution : DINAN AGGLOMERATION
  • City : DINAN
  • Country : France
  • Type of region : Transition
  • Population : 105 000
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LOCAL CONTEXT : A PILOT OPERATION CURRENTLY BEING TESTED TO COLLECT AND PROCESSING HUMAN URINES AS ORGANIC FERTILIZER (STEP 1)

 

Urine is rich in essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and can replace costly petrochemical fertilizers, thereby contributing to the ecological transition and improving water quality.Once collected, during its storage, the urine undergoes a natural purification process, reducing the presence of substances such as pharmaceutical residues, drugs, and pathogens.

 

Our territory (located in northwestern France, in Brittany) is currently collecting and reusing human urine for agriculture lands in order to reduce the volume of liquid entering into sanitation systems. This pilote operation was initiated in response to the recurring exceedance of organic loads observed in wastewater treatment plants during major events indoor (such as music festivals and sports competitions), as well during the significant increase of turists during the summer period.

 

So, a small pilot operation will be tested in June 2026 by collecting and storing human urine during a large music festival (STEP 1) . The collected urine will be then analyzed before being reused as an organic fertilizer for agricultural land. To develop this local recycling system, the pilot project includes:

  • - Investment in storage equipment (small tanks) and logistical infrastructure; 

  • - Transport and storage of urine in a warehouse for several weeks to allow for maturation, followed by its application as a natural fertilizer; 

  • - Research to obtain the necessary regulatory authorizations for land application; 

  • - Health and safety analyses prior to reuse in agriculture. The treated urine will then be made available to local farmers. 

 

 

AMBITIONS OF THE URBACT PROJECT : CREATING A PERMANENT LOCAL SYSTEM FOR COLLECTION AND PROCESSING OF HUMAN URINE (STEP 2)

  • Because the project has been well received, with strong interest from farmers, and as we already have experience in sanitation and urine collection, we are now planning to move to the next stage by developing a dedicated system, service, and infrastructure to reuse human urine in agriculture. Consequently, we need to increase the volume of collected human urine : we are considering collecting it from residential buildings and other buldings (both private and public).

     

  • The main objectives of this URBACT projet are to:

  • - Establish a public service and infrastructures managed by our local authority for the collection and agricultural reuse of human urine ;

  • - Prevent wastewater treatment plant overflows by reducing the volume of urine entering the system ; 

  • - Provide a local and organic alternative to chemical fertilizers; 

  • - Help farmers reducing their costs by supplying free, locally sourced fertilizer; 

  • - Contribute to environmental protection by valorizing a natural and locally available resource. 

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  • IN CONCLUSION

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Our territory is recognized for its strong commitment to environmental sustainability. We would be delighted to exchange with you, learn from best practices across Europe, and work together towards building an open, people-centered, and resilient territory.

 

HAVE A NICE DAY :-)